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Emergency Alert
UDC Operating Remotely Through Wednesday, Jan. 28

The University of the District of Columbia’s academic and administrative offices will conduct business remotely on Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28. All on-campus activities, including athletic-related activities, are cancelled.

Staff: Contact your immediate supervisor with questions or for further instruction regarding remote work expectations. 

Faculty: Reach out to your immediate supervisor and/or the dean for questions and further instruction regarding the transition to emergency remote instruction (ERI).  The Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) is available to support faculty with instructional continuity, including support for Blackboard, Zoom, Webex and other teaching and learning technologies. 

CAL Faculty Support Resources

calhelpdesk@udc.edu 
Virtual Office Hours
Consultation Request Form
For learning technology tools and on-demand faculty resources, please visit CAL’s website.

Students: Due to inclement weather, the university will be closed to face-to-face operations. Instruction will be moved to emergency remote, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Certain laboratory, clinical, and other hands-on classes for which in-person instruction is a requirement may necessitate a make-up lesson, but every effort will be made to pursue virtual learning to the extent possible. Where synchronous virtual instruction is intended, published class meeting times must be observed so that students’ schedules are not disrupted.

The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community remain our top priority. We will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the university’s academic and administrative offices as conditions change.

Please continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest information.

If you have any safety concerns, contact OPSEM at 202-274-5050. For all immediate emergencies, call 911. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to UDC’s mission. 

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District of Columbia Master Naturalist Program (DCMNP)

Welcome to the DC Master Naturalist Program!

The DC Master Naturalist (DCMN) volunteer training program trains volunteers in environmental conservation, environmental education, and citizen science. Participants who graduate from this program become certified Master Naturalists who volunteer in their communities and provide education, outreach, and service around beneficial management of natural resources and natural and open spaces in the District.

Mission

To train volunteers in environmental education and conservation practices, including citizen science, and to engage the community in local nature.

The priorities of the District drive content for the program. The program is open to residents in all eight wards and provides instruction by local DC experts. Volunteer hours are provided within the District.

The program is guided by UDC’s Delivering on the Promise and the sustainability goals of the District of Columbia.

Who Can Become A Master Naturalist?

Any District of Columbia resident, 18 years or older, who wants to learn more about environmental conservation and volunteer to share this knowledge in their community.

What Are The Steps To Becoming A Master Naturalist?

  • Application Process | Spaces are limited. Participants submit an application form during the spring application process to the Master Naturalist Coordinator. Applications are sorted by ward so that there is an equal representation from throughout the District and evaluated using a rubric that considers volunteer interest and a commitment to urban ecological conservation. The applicant is notified by the Master Naturalist Coordinator whether or not they have been selected as a DCMN Trainee.
  • Trainee | The next stage of the program is approximately 30 hours of instruction. Master Naturalist Trainees engage in instruction by UDC staff and local experts,  covering a variety of urban environmental and conservation subjects. Once the instruction has been completed, participants are considered Master Naturalist Interns.
  • Intern | Master Naturalist Interns then complete at least 40 hours of approved volunteer service within twelve months of completing training to achieve the status of Master Naturalist.
  • Certified Master Naturalist | After completing those 40 volunteer hours, participants become Certified Master Naturalists. To remain active, Certified Master Naturalists must:
provide at least 20 hours of certified volunteer service and complete at least 10 hours of continuing education each calendar year.

About The Volunteer Training

The DC Master Naturalist Training gives students an overview of urban environmental education and conservation. The training is divided into two phases: the first is 30 hours of in-person learning, and the second is 40 hours of volunteer experience. The curriculum is focused on urban environmental education and conservation with practical application to the DC setting.

The first phase of the training runs for 5-10 weeks. Most classes are held on weeknights from 6 to 9 pm at the UDC Van Ness campus and may include local field trips. At the end of the 30 hours of instruction, students are considered Interns and go on to the next phase of training.

The next phase of the training is practical and hands-on. The aim is for Interns to have practical, hands-on experience and develop skills and confidence. We believe that students develop a deeper understanding through practice. Interns select a couple of topics they are most interested in and build a plan to volunteer at different projects around the District to gain more knowledge and put their skills into practice. Once the Interns complete their volunteer activities satisfactorily, they become certified Master Naturalists. In order to maintain their active status, Master Naturalists are required to complete twenty volunteer hours and ten continuing education hours per calendar year.

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